In 1870 the family made no move en masse. My father's health was tolerable, and there was a happy time fairly free from home cares.

I went in January to join the Langtons at Cannes. Fanny Allen writes to my mother:

Whilst I was abroad the proof-sheets of the Descent of Man were sent out to me to read. My mother writes to me of one of the chapters: “I think it will be very interesting, but that I shall dislike it very much as again putting God further off.” To shew how delightfully my father took any help his children gave him, I give the following letter, although of course the praise is excessive, and out of all proportion to what I really did.

My dear Hen.,

I have worked through (and it is hard work), half of the 2nd chapter on mind, and your corrections and suggestions are excellent. I have adopted the greater number, and I am sure that they are very great improvements. Some of the transpositions are most just.